what the hell happened to my brand new bike?

[XTrooper3936]

Well, I read the owner's manual from cover to cover the day I brought the bike home, but I was tired and may have missed it. In any case, I don't remember reading anything about battery location. Regarding the service manual, it's on my list of things to buy. My riding has come along very well and I'd put my confidence level at around 80%. I'm not at 100% yet, but I'm getting there. I think after I take the "Experienced RiderCourse" in the spring, I'll be there. You're right about the idiots on the road. My biggest problem is tailgaters driving right on my ass. [:@]

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[Citoriplus]

ORIGINAL: XTrooper3936
My riding has come along very well and I'd put my confidence level at around 80%. I'm not at 100% yet, but I'm getting there. I think after I take the "Experienced RiderCourse" in the spring, I'll be there. You're right about the idiots on the road. My biggest problem is tailgaters driving right on my ass. [:@]

Your as bad as I am, I knew you wouldn't be able to leave that bike alone. You'll be more than ready for the "Upper" class course by next spring. Probably think you don't need it by then too.
Tailgaters are bad, but its the loons who start to change lanes, THEN put on the turn signals without ever bothering to look that make me think carrying my .357Mag and using it instead of the horn might not be such a bad idea. I have had three fools do that in less than a week. Makes you hyper aware of everything around you when your in the middle of a line of cars. It’s also a great motivator to blast off from a light, just to get the hell away from them.
So I have learned that it’s safer to avoid any roads where they are doing any kind of construction as the cars seem to pack the tightest and the drivers get the dumbest in those areas. Besides I ride a Harley-Davidson and it’s a GREAT bike. But it does weigh nearly half a ton with me on it, and I can’t use it like a dirt bike so if one or both sides of the road are all ripped up that essentially eliminates one of my favorite escape routes.

[rino]

Quick update,

dealer doesn't does not feel too sorry for me or my TRAIN. Bike is not fixed yet 1 week and a day later. Every day feels like a month.
They found the problem, exactly has decribed in the forum. They also described the terminals being installed incorrectly exaclty has the pictures in this forum show.

The hold up has been waiting for the new oil lines which they did not have in stock and supposedly "rush ordered" (1 week ago). FUNNY seing how I ordered the lowering kit and led tail light and both items got here a few days with no "rush order". Anyways theres about a 5% chance I'll get it back today, I'm not holding my breath. As soon as I do, I'll update!

Thanks again for all the helpful info from everyone!

[raven28690]

thanks for the heads up!
very informative post

[Citoriplus]

Start SCREAMING to anyone who you can get hold of in headquarters.
Having it happen is unfortunate, stalling the repair is intollorable.

Good Luck

[WidowDeuce]

This just happened to my friends 07 Heritage with 180 miles on it. It was 4 days old. Has anyone heard of the MoCo initiating a recall on 07's to check this?

[chester1957]

It's bullsh*t they can't get you back on the road, their's such a thing called next day air, and this time of year I wouldn't think they would be too busy.

[tmitchellof PG]

This is the first time I read about this problem.
I disconnected my battery when I relocated the rear turn signals. I didn't pay any attention to how the cable was orientated, when I hooked it back up. I will make sure to check it out before I ride it tomorrow
HD has 100+ years practice in building motorcycles. You would think they would have it down pat by now.
Tom

[sadan007]

I picked up my new 2007 Heritage Softail on saturday. I rode it for 180 miles and without warning the same steel braided oil line caught fire. I was baffled and call my dealership. After consulting with Harley Davidson, they told me the positive battery terminal was the cause of the problem. It was touching the frame and sending an electrical current throughout the bike which caught the steel braid on fire. I am really shocked there has been no recall to the dealerships to correct this problem.

[flyinlow]

Don't know the answer to this, so I'll just throw it out there. Do the bikes come shipped with the battery installed or does the dealer install the battery? If the dealer installs it, well there's the answer.